To estimate the potential of small scale Solar Combi+ systems, a market survey among AC systems retailers was conducted — the target group being the consumers, but the source to collect and analyze the necessary data the retailers, who could provide data not only on volume of sales but also on consumers attitude. Even if the research partners faced some difficulties in approaching retailers and collecting information, the filled questionnaires (elaborated by CRES) reveal some interesting aspects, which are presented here (the full report is available on the project website [8]).

Results are in line with the EU-survey of “consumer attitudes related to EU Energy policy” [9], which states that 80% of EU citizens say energy efficiency influences their decision when buying household appliances (nearly half of them very much) and that they are quite certain that within the next decade they have to change their every day behaviour, but also the technology used to make their living space comfortable. The Solar Combi+ survey in fact illustrates, that also in the selection of air conditioning systems in almost all countries in Europe, energy efficiency is a major topic (see Fig. 8). This has a clear consequence on the selected products. In fact in Italy most products sold are classified as energy class A while in Greece more class B and C than class A products are sold. (see Fig. 9).

While other criteria such as maintenance effort, noise, the trademark, aesthetics — and total cost! — are also important aspects when buying air conditioning systems (Fig. 10), a high percentage of consumers pay attention to energy label and efficiency data. 40% of them are even willing to pay more for a product if it is energy efficient (Fig. 11). This survey shows that Solar Combi+ systems can have a significant market if they are as reliable and convenient as conventional air conditioning systems even if they are somewhat more expensive.

5.

Conclusion

By the end of the project, validated standard system configurations for small scale combined heating and cooling will be at the disposal of solar thermal industry, producers of sorption chillers and system providers.

The participating companies will accordingly be able to offer their own package solutions. These pre-engineered systems will enable installers to offer the technology to customers and to promote it, thus triggering the pull market in a considerable way.

A detailed database which will be publicly available will result from the analysis of a broad range of technologies, applications and climate. It will provide in depth information on all important aspects of small scale combined solar heating & cooling for several key actors. The technical, economical and ecological evaluation of cases will be useful for involved industry and planers as well as for authorities.

For example can the project also contribute to tailored shaping of support programmes. The provided knowledge on economical and ecological performance of combined heating and cooling for different regions facilitates the establishment, where necessary and required at all, of long term support schemes. An avoidance of stop and go support would this way further smooth market entry

[1] .

The combined use of solar thermal for heating & cooling can accelerate the evolution of solar thermal from only domestic hot water supply to a significant contributor to heating demand by

increasing cost efficiency of the entire system, this way mitigating the threats of Europe’s growing heat and cooling demands[10] [11]. And the increased utilization of sorption chillers will mitigate summer electricity peak demand, a major threat in some European countries (e. g. Italy [12]).

Accelerating and smoothing the market entry of small scale Solar Combi+ systems, the project will contribute considerably to achieving important energy policy goals of the European Union; in particular relating to the share of renewable energies [13] and the security of energy supply in the EU [14].

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the industry partners within the SolarCombi+ project (Climatewell, Rotartica, Sonnenklima, Solution, Sortech) for their engagement in the project and the contribution to the elaboration of the presented information.

The Solar Combi+ project receives funding from the European Commission within the EIE Program (Project number: EIE/07/158/SI2.466793). The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors.

References

[1] European Solar Thermal Industry Federation — ESTIF (2003): Sun in Action II — A Solar Thermal Strategy for Europe, Bruxelles

[2] Initiator group of ESTTP (2006) Solar Thermal Vision 2030, Brussels

[3] H. M. Henning (Ed.): Solar-Assisted Air-Condistioning in Buildings. A Handbook for Planners. Springer Verlag, Wien, 2004

[4] European Solar Thermal Industry Federation — ESTIF (2005): Solar thermal markets in Europe, Trends and statistics, Bruxelles

[9] Y. Vougiouklakis, E. Korma (2008), Report on market situation & trends about small scale chillers, Project Report D2.1 of the IEE Project — SolarCombi+, www. solarcombiplus. eu

[6] REFRIGE. COM Portal — HVAC & Refrigeration news, events, training, books, magazines and directory online http://www. refrige. com/february-2007/world-air-conditioner-market-contmued-to-expand-m- 2006/menu-id-2087.html

[7] CO. AER Associazione costruttori di apparecchiature ed impianti aeraulici http://www. coaer. it/indagine/_indagine_.htm#

[8] Y. Vougiouklakis, E. Korma (2008), Report on Market Potential & Relevant Consumers for Solar Combi+, Project Report D2.3 respectively of the IEE Project — SolarCombi+, www. solarcombiplus. eu

[9] Flash Eurobarometer series 206 (2007) Attitudes on issues related to EU Energy Policy — Analytical report

[10] ALTENER project “ECOHEATCOOL”, project Newsletter Issue 2

[11] F. Butera, The use of environmental energies for sustainable building in Mediterranean climates; Intelligent Building Middle East Bahrain, December 2005

[12] Gestore Rete Trasmissione Nazionale (GRTN): Audizione del Gestore della rete Presso le Commissioni Riunite Industria e Ambiente e Territorio del Senato della Repubblica, Rome, September 2003

[13] Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy — White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan — COM(97)599 final (26/11/1997)

[14] Final report on the Green Paper "Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply", COM(2002) 321 final, Brussels, 26.6.2002